Detailed planning will follow if the forecast for success in program growth is positive.

While the USGS presence and efforts in Alaska are significant, they are clearly not adequate to meet the growing needs of an area that will see major growth in tourism and resource development.

The USGS presence and efforts in Alaska, while significant, are clearly not adequate to meet the growing needs of a frontier area that will see major growth as our need for resources increases and tourism continues to surge. There are many competing priorities in the lower 48 states.

Some of the reason levees aren't as high as they're designed to be is because they sink. We don't have a good enough handle on the rates of subsidence, and it doesn't subside everywhere at the same rate.

Alaska is a land of great opportunity for scientific research.